520 ON SEEDLINGS 



In a corresponding vertical section through the axis of the fruit, 

 the ovary, together with what used to be two longitudinal masses of 

 cortex, have become one continuous cavity. The cortex is not yet 

 wholly absorbed, but lines the sides of the cavity. Two masses of 

 cortex show themselves mostly above the ovary, one on each side ; 

 but they are still solid. The ovule is flask-shaped, but still very 

 small. The vascular and sclerenchymatous tissue is getting very 

 firm. 



On the 18th of August the ovule has increased so as to fill the 

 whole cavity of the ovary. A longitudinal section through the axis 

 shows two masses of cortex on the upper side. In a corresponding 

 transverse section the ovule again nearly fills the cavity. Four solid 

 masses of cortex are seen, two right and two left of the axis. 



In a transverse section taken lower down than the last and 

 corresponding to it in age, the connection of the ovary cavity with 

 the four cavities formed by the absorption of cortical tissue is seen. 

 Across the opening of some of the cavities strands of cortical tissue 

 still remain. 



In a transverse section made on the 1st of September, the seed 

 filled the cavity of the ovary and lay nearly at right angles to its 

 usual position with regard to the axis. The two cotyledons of the 

 young embryo were seen lying in the middle. Some masses of solid 

 cortex may still be seen at this date. A corresponding longitudinal 

 section shows the embryo, the cotyledons of which are already four- 

 lobed. The seed has descended into the basal cavities. The hard 

 sclerenchyma has now greatly increased in thickness, making a 

 framework for the fruit and rendering it hard and brittle. 



A longitudinal section of a barren fruit, made on the 12th of 

 September, showed the small flask- shaped ovule, and the nearly 

 empty cavities at the base of the ovary cavity. Some solid masses 

 of cortex appeared both above and below the ovary. 



By the 19th of September the embryo has greatly increased in 

 size, filling the seed, which nearly occupies the whole of the space 

 in the ovary cavity, and also the cavities extending below the latter. 

 Lobes of the cotyledons are seen to descend into these basal cavities. 

 These cavities are not yet completely filled with the lobes of the 

 seed. 



A transverse section through the fruit and seed at this date 

 showed the embryo more advanced than in the last case, and the 

 cotyledons very much plaited or folded. Above and at the sides of 

 the ovary the cortex never becomes absorbed so as to form cavities 

 like those four pieces beneath the ovary. Four large pieces may be 

 seen, two on each side of the seed, and still quite solid. 



